30 November 2009

MANILA, Philippines - It took a 5-10 Fil-Am goalkeeper to spoil celebrated star David Beckham’s bid for the Major League Soccer (MLS) championship in the British hero’s third year with the Los Angeles Galaxy.

Nick Rimando, 30, saved two penalty kicks and paved the way for Real Salt Lake to upset the Galaxy, 5-4, in a shootout after the title match ended 1-1 in overtime before 46,011 fans in Seattle last Nov. 22.

Rimando, whose father is Filipino and mother is Mexican, has never been to the Philippines but said he hopes to visit someday soon.

“Everybody knows I’m Filipino because of my eyes,” said Rimando quoted by Truth Esguerra of the Philippine News. “I’m happy to be Filipino and I’m happy to be American and being in the US playing soccer. It doesn’t matter what color your skin is or color your hair is. I’m out there doing my job and they look at me as a person.”

Rimando attended Montclair High School and played two years at UCLA before turning pro. He was the backup goalkeeper for the US at the 1999 World Youth Championships in Nigeria and played for the US national squad in an international match against El Salvador in 2002. Rimando’s twin appearances with the US team disqualified him from playing for any other country, including the Philippines, under FIFA rules.

THE University of Southern Philippines Foundation (USPF) took over the top spot of the Men’s League division of the 12th Aboitiz Football Cup after a 2-0 win over the Don Bosco (DB) Alumni at the Aboitiz Sports field yesterday.

USPF attacked DB Alumni early in the game and scored the first goal in the fifth minute from Aljohn Armamento.

Mark Lester Garbo upped the lead to 2-0 with a strike in the 27th minute before holding DB Alumni scoreless the rest of the way.

USPF now has 11 points and overtook undefeated Crazy Horse, which has been idle for close to a month, for the top position.

DB Alumni slid to fifth place with seven points.

In yesterday’s other Men’s League game, the University of San Carlos (USC) crushed San Roque FC (SRFC), 6-3.

African forward Bernard Rotich took the scoring burden of USC with a hat trick.

USC took a commanding 3-1 lead at the end of the first half with goals from Philip Kenei (15th), Melvin Elle (17th) and Rotich (36th), while Mark Cueva scored the lone first half goal of SRFC in the 25th minute.

With the win, USC moved two places to third, with eight points, while SRFC slumped a spot lower, at eighth place, with three points.

In other games yesterday, Uptown United destroyed DB Alumni A, 5-0, while University of San Jose-Recoletos edged out 53rd Army, 2-1, in the Men’s Cup category.

Meanwhile in last Sunday’s matches, Queen City United drew with University of Cebu, 0-0, while the University of the Visayas trampled San Roque Royal United, 7-0, in the Men’s League class.

28 November 2009

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will hold its 6th Ordinary Congress this Sunday in Tacloban City with the hope of further strengthening its grassroots and competition programs for next year and the years to come.

Though various programs have been put in place, PFF president Jose Mari Martinez said the congress will help them gather fresh ideas from the participants in their bid to intensify their drive to revive the popularity of the sport and form a highly-competitive national team for men’s and youth sides.

“We really need a concerted effort to make our various programs run smoothly. I’m confident all Member Associations will be represented since we need their inputs and cooperation,” said Martinez.

Martinez said they are now focusing their effort on their various grassroots programs since they intend to compete in various regional competitions next year, including the 2011 SEA Games.

“We don’t have a team for next month’s SEA Games due to lack of financial support but we intend to take part in major regional events starting next year,” added Martinez, who is expected to report the federation’s accomplishment for the year about to end.

The Philippines gained considerably in the latest FIFA world ranking by jumping to 155th from 190th place last year.

They are also hoping to draw plan for local tournaments next year where they hope to stage events in key regions, especially in Mindanao and Visayas. The financial status of the federation will also be discussed.

Apart from grassroots and competitions, the PFF also promises to hold more coaching and referee seminars to enhance their technical skills.

Invited to join the congress to be held at the Leyte Park Hotel are presidents (or,in their absence their General Secretary) of member associations in the country.

MANILA, Philippines – The highly successful 16-team United Football League-LBC Cup wrapped up its elimination round over the weekend, with eight teams moving on to the tournament’s quarterfinal phase.

The knockout quarterfinal matches, which will be held this Sunday at the Ateneo football field in Quezon City and Nomads football grounds in Parañaque City, pit the top two squads of each of the tournament’s four groups.

At Ateneo, Group B top-seed Army Phiten clashes with Group A No. 2 Alabang Grins Orient Freight in the 1 p.m. game, followed by Group A No. 1 Navy Selecta versus Loyola ATR Kim Eng at 3 p.m.

In the 6 p.m. match at Nomads, Group D No. 1 Kaya Digiprint battles Union Rudy Project, which finished at the second spot in Group C. Air Force Rider, Group C’s top seed, faces Group D No. 2 Mendiola Egames in the last quarterfinals game.

The winners of Navy Selecta-Loyola ATR Kim and Army Phiten-Grins Orient Freight will meet the victors of Air Force Rider-Mendiola Egames and Kaya Digi Print-Rudy Project Union, respectively, in the semifinals.

Meanwhile, teams that finished in the bottom half of their respective groups will figure in a separate knockout quarterfinals, with the ultimate winner getting crowned as the UFL Plate Cup champions.

22 November 2009

DON Bosco Technical Institute of Victorias City, Negros Occidental grabbed both the elementary and high school football titles in this year’s edition of the Negros Occidental Private Schools Sports Cultural & Educational Association (NOPSSCEA).

The don Bosco squads, mentored by former University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos varsity standout Warren Concepcion, took the elementary division title via a 2-0 win over University of St. La Salle and posted a 4-0 victory over USLS to take the high school division crown.

Scoring for Don Bosco in the elementary win was Wrenze Homer Pineda while the scorers in their high school championship win were RP Under-16 team standouts Melecio Manuel Mentor, Sydney Angelo Magbanua, David John Trompeta qand Jonie Asparen.

The La Sallians struggled to bounce back after DBTI scored the first goal during last Saturday’s high school division match at the USLS pitch but their efforts did not succeed in the second half as Don Bosco added three more goals for the lopsided win.

21 November 2009

WHAT was once an extra-curricular activity for a seven-year-old became the reason that got him to represent the Philippine football team to China.

From an accidental keeper to the country’s No. 1, Paolo Pascual sure has come a long way.

Now 19, and a sophomore student at the University of San Carlos, Pascual never dreamed of one day, being a member of the RP team that played five other Asian countries in the Asian Football Confederation 19-Under Qualifying Round.

A HANDFUL of teams bid for honors as the sixth Acosta Cup kicks off Sunday at the Tionko football grounds.

Davao Football Association (DFA) general secretary Erwin Protacio said the tournament features the 10 years old and under five-A-side category and the elementary and high school seven-A-Side division.

He said teams like the Ateneo de Davao University (Addu) Grade School High School, Holy Child School of Davao, Catalunan Grande, Sakya FC, SOS Children's Village and Philippine Women's College confirmed their participation.

"We are happy to welcome newcomers Los Amigos Elementary School and F. Bangoy Central Elementary School," he said in a statement.

He added interested teams from Malita, Davao del Sur and Musuan, Bukidnon are expected to put up a stiff competition in the annual bootfest presented by Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta.

The DFA and University of the Philippines (UP) Mindanao are co-organizers of the event sponsored by Mayor Rodrigo R. Duterte through the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office (SDD-CMO), RDL Pharmaceutical Lab Inc., Jollibee JTC Davao, and MY Hotel.

Trophies are up for grabs in the competition that aims to promote grassroots football among the city's youth.

Councilor Acosta had been very active in supporting sports development and other programs that benefit the welfare of children and women.

She also sponsors regular ladies football event, thus, boosting the city's chances in national women's open tournaments. (MLSA)

18 November 2009

THERE’S AN AIR OF OPTIMISM surrounding the impending arrival of British coach Desmond Bulpin, who has been tasked to handle the program and training of the Philippine football team.

Bulpin, who had coaching stints with the Tampine Rovers in the Singapore League and the Uzbekistan Under-17 team, will take over a national team that has leapt 35 places to No. 155 in the world rankings over the past year.

“This is very encouraging for our national team,” said Philippine Football Federation secretary general Cyril Dofitas. “Knowing that we have improved in the football world, our players will be motivated to play better.”

The Philippines failed to hurdle qualifying tournaments for the AFC Challenge Cup and the Asean Football Championships late last year.

Notwithstanding the losses, Dofitas said the international participation has helped sharpen up the team.

His statement was echoed by PFF technical director Aris Caslib.

“It has been a gruelling yet very competitive year for Philippine football,” Caslib said. “This year marks many developments for the PFF.”

“This is a very good way of telling the world that the PFF is doing everything to improve our image,” said Dofitas.

12 November 2009

UNDEFEATED squads Don Bosco College (DBC) and Cebu International School (CIS) will battle for supremacy in Group A of the Boys 17 division of the 12th Aboitiz Football Cup tomorrow at the Aboitiz Sports field.

CIS is still at the top spot with six points on two wins.

However, DBC, which has three points, could steal the lead with a win over CIS.

In Group B of the Boys 17 category, Center for International Education (CIE)-Lions and Abellana National School (ANS) Pomeroy will go for their first win when they face each other.

Both teams lost their first game.

Meanwhile, San Roque FC faces off with Giuseppe, while Carsheinians will face Melborne in the Girls 17 class.

In the Boys 14 division, Paref-Springdale will face off with MTI, while DBC A faces Abellana National School-Pomeroy and Sacred Heart School-Jesuits (SHS-J) takes on FC Inter Cebu.

In the Boys 12 division, DBC B faces Paref-Springdale, while Pomeroy FC is up against DBC A.

In the Players 10 division, DBC 1 faces off with Pomeroy FC and Giuseppe takes on ML Canduman, while SHS-J tangles with ML Canduman in the Players 8 category.

MANILA (10 Nov 2009) – The PWU Patriots nosed out Halo FC to take the top spot in Group B of the Women’s Division of the PFF Futsal Cup.

The Taft-based Patriots, led by captain and current Group B leading scorer Marielle Benitez, breezed through the group stage with two wins and a draw against Halo FC.

PWU secured the top spot over Halo FC over goal difference after Montalban FC failed to show up which automatically handed Halo a 3-0 goal margin by walkover.

In Group A, KADA FC flexed their might over Rizal Technological University winning 4-2.

However, RTU did not go down without a fight forcing several excellent saves from KADA keeper Mae Castelo.

National team standout Ching Delos Reyes opened the scoring with a blast from just outside the penalty area in the 12th minute.

Wily striker and Group A leading scorer, Ruchelle Latap pumped in three more goals in the 13th, 18th and 19th minute respectively to seal the victory for KADA.

Goalscorers for RTU were Rhea Placencia and Honey Mae Thomason.

KADA will take on HALO in the cross-over semi finals, while the PWU Patriots will face the winner of the game between Assumption FC and Los Borachos FC.

In the meantime, Diliman FC edged out Don Bosco to claim their place in the semi-finals.

In Group B of the men’s division Diliman FC bannered by national team standouts Anto Gonzales, Jerome Leung, Teo Ocampo and Ariel Zerrudo used experience to edge out a nail biting 4-2 win over Don Bosco United FC.

Skipper Mico Gutierrez started early when he squeezed a goal past the DBUFC keeper two minutes in.

But Don Bosco equalised barely a minute later through Xarex Velasquez.

Ariel Zerrudo then answered back with a scorcher in the fourth minute blasting a low ball from a set play off a corner.

Velasquez brought life back to Don Bosco by opening the second half with an awkward volley that found the ball past the Diliman keeper and into the back of the net.

A succession of attempts brought out the best of the Diliman keeper Jerome Leung as he stopped a barrage of shots from Don Bosco FC.

Zerrudo and Kale Alvarez injected two more goals to finally silence the DBUFC players in the last two minutes of play.

Earlier, Mendiola United FC led by captain Roxy Dorlas pressured Socceroos FC into submission by leading Mendiola to their first win of the season.

Mendiola trotted out 10-8 winners over Socceroos while in another game, ARMY FC pounced on hapless SGU FC 16-5.

Ricardo Becite lead with four goals, followed by Wilson Dela Cruz with three, Nestor Margarse, Ronel Gener and Romano Vestal with two goals apiece, while Gil Vilanueva and Rodrigo Betita scoring a goal each.

Group B has Pasargad FC in the top spot with Diliman FC claiming the last semi-finals slot.

The semi-finals fixtures will be completed after the match between ARMY FC and Man-Hur FC.

09 November 2009

MANILA, Philippines—Two hundred fifty teams with a total of 3,500 boys and girls from all over the Philippines will compete in 12 age group categories for the 14th Alaska Football Cup at Ayala Country Club on November 14 to 15.

“For this year, we received a total of 400 applications but the venue can only accommodate a maximum of 250 teams,” said tournament director Tomas Lozano.

“This only shows how football at the youth level is growing tremendously. I just hope that this would be the same in the professional level but we don’t have much clubs here in the Philippines,” added Lozano.

Champion teams from last year’s Alaska Cup include the Nomads Football Club, Faith Academy, Cebu International School and Ateneo de Manila University Manila.

Kids age 6-14 years old from different categories will play on the first day of the tournament while those in the older age groups play on the second day. Games start 7:30 a.m.

Along with teams from Metro Manila, there will be also be teams from the provinces including Bacolod, Cebu, Naga, Davao, Baguio and Los Banos.

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF), headed by Mari Martinez, has hired a veteran British football coach to handle the program and training of the national team in the hope of energizing the sport in the country.

Martinez said Desmond Bulpin arrived in the country two weeks ago during which he observed and assessed the training of the members of the RP team pool for three days before finalizing his agreement with the PFF to head the country’s coaching staff.

Martinez said football enthusiasts Dan Palami and Henry Tsai will shoulder the expenses of Bulpin during his stay here in Manila.

The country is lagging behind even in the standard of South East Asian competition but Martinez believes the arrival Bulpin will help the Philippines recover from a spate of misfortunes – the latest of which was during the Asian Under-16 tournament.

Public awareness and the right people to run the daily affair of the team, Martinez stressed, are needed to keep football going in the country.

“Mr. Bulpin would be a big help for us in attaining our goals for the future of Philippine football. Football is the world’s most popular sport and it’s high time for us to improve our chances in competition locally and internationally,” said Martinez.

Bulpin is coming next week and will be bringing with him 25 years of experience in various capacities in major leagues in Europe.

The British coach, according to Martinez, was impressed with the work ethic and passion of the members of the national pool.

“I’m excited to work here and I enjoy the challenge seeing talent progress,” said Bulpin.

Though Bulpin admits that it will entail a lot of hard work and time to whip up the Filipinos into a highly-competitive team, he would like to face the challenge head on.

“It will also be a lot of fun,” he added.

PFF also plans to hold an exhibition game between the future RP team against a Fil-British team (Philippine United Football Club) next year.

THE 6th Acosta Cup 2009 featuring girl booters will kick off on November 22 at the Tionko football grounds, Bolton Riverside, along Quimpo Boulevard.

Davao Football Association (DFA) general secretary Erwin Protacio said the tournament will have the 5-A-Side event for those born 1999 and later, 7-A-Side girls elementary and girls high school categories.

Protacio said they expect close to 30 teams competing in the free registration bootfest presented by Davao City Councilor Mabel Sunga Acosta and sponsored by the Sports Development Division of the City Mayor's Office and RDL Pharmaceuticals.

"Elementary and high school teams, however, will have to submit a certification from their school principals," Protacio said.

Players are also required to submit photocopies of their birth certificates as proof of their ages on tournament day. No birth certificate, no play," he added.

FOLLOWING a break for the celebration of the All Souls’ Day and All Saints Day, the 12th Aboitiz Football Cup season resumes today at the Aboitiz Sports field.

No. 3 Don Bosco College (DBC) takes on second ranked Paref-Springdale in Group A of the Boys 17 division, while Sacred Heart School–Jesuits (SHS-J) faces winless Center for International Education (CIE)–Lions in Group B.

DBC is tied with Paref-Springdale with three points but Paref-Springdale is ranked second because of goal difference.A win could propel either team to the top spot of Group A.

On the other hand, SHS-J is ranked second in Group B, behind FC Inter Cebu, with three points, while the CIE–Lions are still searching for their first win in the tournament.

In the Girls 17 category, undefeated San Roque FC (SRFC) will gun for its fifth straight victory against the struggling Carsheinians squad, while No. 2 Giuseppe FC is up against Melborne.

SRFC is at the top of the heap with 12 points, while Carsheinians has four points. SRFC earlier routed Carsheinians, 11-1.

04 November 2009

MANILA, Philippines – Air Force Rider stakes its perfect record against Union Rudy Project as the LBC-United Football League (UFL) resumes action at the Ateneo University field in Quezon City this Sunday (Nov. 8).

Fresh from a pulsating 5-3 victory over Mama Africa last Sunday, Air Force is expected to field key players Ian Araneta, Yanti Bersales, and Emilio Caligdong against Union Rudy, which for its part boasts strikers from Egypt and France.

Air Force sits atop the Group C standings with a 2-0 card, while Union Rudy Project is at second place with a 1-1 ledger.

In the second match, Group B squads Loyola ATR Kim Eng (1-0) and Sunken Garden FC (0-0) collide in the 16-team tournament sanctioned by the National Capital Region Football Association and the Philippine Football Federation.

03 November 2009

SYKES and Aegis Peo-ple Support ruled the inaugural Home Sweet Home 9-a-side Inter Corporate Football Festival at the San Roque Parish football field last Oct. 25.

Sykes outlasted Tsunie-shi via shootout to top the nine-team men’s division, while Aegis People Support got past Convergys in the women’s final.

The one-day tournament, organized to give football enthusiasts who are already working a chance to compete in a relatively level playing field, was a huge success and the participants are already wishing another group will hold an inter-call center football tournament.

Despite playing with only eight men in the finals of the nine-a-side event, Sykes managed to hold on to a 0-0 draw in regulation before prevailing, 3-2, in the shootout.

It was the same story in the battle for third place as Bracket B second placer dumped Convergys, 3-2.

In the women’s final, veteran Doris Toledo scored the only goal for Aegis People Support to bag the trophy.

Sykes topped Group B and defeated Lexmark, 2-1, in the quarterfinals before dumping Group A No. 1 team Teletech A, 2-0, in the semis.

On the other hand, Tsunieshi finished second in Group B and beat Group A No. 3, NCR, 1-0, in the quarterfinals and Conver-gys, 1-0, in the semis.

Teletech A outlasted sister team Telech B, which finished No. 4 in Group B, 2-1, in the quarterfinals.

Convergys earned a seat to the semifinals after upsetting Group A No. 2 Aegis People Support, 1-0, in the quarterfinals.

WiPro finished at fifth in Group A and did not make it to the quart-erfinals.